Flow control system



Jan. 9, 1951 G. E. MOODY mow CONTROL SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Ori inal Filed Aug. 15 1942 INVENTOR.

George E. Moody WfW a g ATTORNEY.

Jan. 9, 1951 MOODY Re. 23,324

FLOW CONTROL SYSTEM Original Filed Aug. 15, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR.

George E. Moody Reissued Jan. 9, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLOW CONTROL SYSTEM George E. Moody, Glendale, Calif.

Matter enclosed in heavy brackets appears in the original patent but forms no part of this reissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue 13 Claims.

This invention relates to flow control systems, and more specifically contemplates time-controlled valvular mechanisms for controlling the fiow of water through each of a series of distributing units which is particularly adaptable for embodiment in sprinkling systems whereby different groups of sprinklers may be successively supplied with water under any desired pressure up to the maximum pressure of the main for pre determined periods of time.

Where large areas are to be supplied with water from a single main, it is common practice to provide a plurality of valves controlling different groups of sprinklers adapted to be operated successively so as to obtain maximum advantage from the pressure in the main while permitting the utilization of a minimum number of spray nozzles. The separate valves may be actuated to open and close mechanically in succession until the entire area has been serviced.

Most sprinkler installations are supplied with water from a pipe, leading from the main, by which other fixtures are serviced. In order to obviate any tendency of water discharged from the sprinkler system from being siphoned back into the pipes of the sprinkler system from which it might be subsequently drawn into the main or pipes leading to other fixtures, it is desirable, and in many municipalities it is required bylaw, that anti-siphon valves of some form be provided between each fixture and the valve controlling the flow to that fixture. Where the flow to different groups of sprinklers is controlled by individual valves it is costly to provide separate anti-siphon valves for each group of sprinklers. Moreover,

dividual sprinkler valves adapted to be actuated manually or by a suitable electric motor, seleclll as the anti-siphon valves must be located above I Another object is the provision of a system having a valve for controlling the flow to the entire system, which incorporates a single antisiphon valve vented to the air and'interposed in the flow line between the master valve and the individual valves by which flow to the sprinkler; of the respective groups is controlled.

Another object is to provide a novel form of control unit for fluid-operated master and intively.

Other objects and corresponding advantages, such for example as simplicity of construction, economy of manufacture, facility of installation and positive operation, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon an examination of the following description read in the light of the accompanying drawings, in which: I

Fig. l is a perspective view of the casing in which thecontrol unit is housed;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the control Valve assembly illustrating in phantom the motor and reduction gearing by which it is actuated;

Fig. 3 is a view in plan of the apparatus contained in the control casing, illustrating particularly the switch by which the motor is actuated;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on lines 44 of Fig. 2';

Fig. 5 is a view in section and elevation depicting the arrangement of various valve mechanisms and particularly the relative disposition of the anti-siphon valve with respect to the master valve and the individual valves controlling the flow to the different sprinkler divisions of the system; r

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the underside of the rotary valve member b which the pressure on the various sprinkler-group valves is controlled.

Referring to the drawings more in detail, the numerals of which indicate similar parts throughout the several views, 10 designates a pipe (Fig. 5) leading from a main (not shown) which supplies water to the system. Pipe l0 connects with the lower end of a master valve ll comprising a cylindrical housing having a threaded side outlet [2. Water entering valve H from pipe Ill flows upwardly througha centrally located tubular member 13 integral with the valve housing, and from the upper end of the latter into an encircling chamber [4 from which outlet l2 leads. The upper open end of tubular member I3 forms a seat l5 for a valve member IE3 disposed in the housing thereabove. Valve member 16 comprises an annular rubber body I! disposed on a central core l8 and reinforced by an encircling band l9. Adjacent the lower end of rubber body l'I an annular flange 2D is formed which slideably engages the wall of the housing above outlet 12. The upper end of the valve housing is diametrically enlarged to accommodate the upper flange 2| of valve member l6 which is of greater cross-sectional area than the lower end of the rubber body. A pressure chamber 22 is formed above valve member |6 by a circular plate 23 enclosing the upper end of the housing. An adjusting screw 24 threaded through plate 23 provides a stop for determining the upward movement of valve IS. The valve member is normally closed by the pressure of water introduced into the pressure chamber 22 through a tube 25 leading from a control unit, generally indicated by the numeral 26, about to be described. Tube 25 is threaded into 'thetipper wall of the housing and communicates with a vertical channel 21 formed in the wall. The

channel intersects with a transverse channel 28 in the underside of top plate '23 opening-into the pressure chamber 22.

The control mechanism (Figs. 1 to 4) is enclosed in a conveniently accessible casing 29 supported by a hollow standard 30. A subfioor 3| of casing 29 is formedwith' an opening into which a circular plate 33 is snugly fitted. Superimposed on-plate33 is a valve disk 34 forming the floor of a valve chamber 35 later referred to. The floor 36 of the casing overlying subfioor 3| o verhangs the platev 33jand disk 34 and is bolted to the plate through the disk so as to clamp the last-'namedmembers together. A suitable gasket 31 is interposed between plate 33 and disk 34 to prevent leakage.

"A'circul'ar head '38 is secured to disk 34 by screws or the like to compress an annular gasket '33'located b'etweenhead '38 and 'disk 34 so as to efiect a seal therebetween andform the fluidtight valve chamber 35 within the head. Extending through'a central boss 40 in the head'is 'a valve stemll whichis adapted to be rotated selectively by hand or by mechanical means, as

will'be described. The upper part of the bore ofjthe boss '40is enlarged to'receive a packin gland '42 threaded therein to "obviateleakage around stem 4|. A bearing for the lower end of thev'alve stem"4| is formed by'ia central" opening Jin'disk 34, as indicated at 43. A plate '44 is mounted by suitable means to valve stem 4| within the valve-chamber 35 so as to rotate with th'e'stem and providereinforcement for a valve member 45 composed of compressible material such as rubber, leather, fiber or the like, secured thereto. "Valvem'emb'er 45 is generally circular but is formedwith a lateral projection 46 (Fig. 4)

of approximately 70 in length. The undersur- :face of the projection isfor-med with an arcuate 'idoveu adj acent-and parallel to its outer edge, lfromone end of which groove 41 a radial groove 48 extends inwardly. An elongated port 43 is provided in valve member 45 in a circle concentric with st'e'm4l intersecting the radial groove "48 intermediate its ends. 'The port 49 is spaced circum'ferentially from the last-named groove 48"to the side of the latter opposite to which the arcuate groove 41 extends, The valve member 45 is resiliently retained in fluid-tight contact 4 The' o p'posite end of tube extends upwardly "through thetubular mounting 30 of the control "unit 26 and is secured by soldering'or other suitable means in a port 52 through the plate "33 'in"alignment with' the side wall of head :36. hole 53 through i'valvefdisk '34 in registry with 5'2 communicates tube' 5| with 'a' h0le'54' ex 4 tending upwardly through the side wall of head 38 to adjacent the top of the valve chamber 35. A lateral port 55 in the wall of the head intersecting with the hole 54 completes unrestricted communication between pipe Ill and the valve chamber 35.

Tube 25 leading from the upper pressure chamber 22 in master valve extends through the mounting 30 and is similarly connected to plate 33 in an opening 56 which registers with a hole 51 through valve disk 34 in the circle of movement of the portion of the valve member 45 in which port 49 is located. It will thus be 0bserved that when valve member is turned to register the port49 with the hole 51 in valve disk 34, water entering valve chamber 35 from 'tube 5| is permitted to flow into the upper pressure chamber22 of the master valve "I1 and to maintain "the pressure of the -main on the valve member |6 in the latter. Due to the differences in cross-sectional area between the upper and lower surfaces of valve l6 the pressure of the water thereabove "will-maintain said valve closed so as to prevent water from passing throughthe master valve into a pipe 58 connected therewith leading to the various sprinkler group valves 59, hereinafter described.

The outlet pipe 58 leading from the side of master valve ll extends above the level of the ground indicated by the numeral 60 where it is connected to an anti-siphon valve fitting 6| which is arranged with its interiorly threaded inlet 62 and outlet 63 in horizontal alignment. Thecentral bulb 64 of the fitting is divided by a partition 65 into anupper chamber 66 communicated with the outlet 63, and the lower chamber 61 connected to the inlet 62 of the fitting. 'An intermediate portion of partition 65 is ported as at 6B to-communicate chambers 66 and 81 on opposite sides thereof. A poppet-type gravity-operated valve 69 located in the upper chamber 66 is adapted to seat 'on a circular bead -1|I surrounding the'port 68. The upper chamber is vented through a hollow plug 1| threaded into an opening in the upper wall of the fitting in'alignment wit-h the port 6 8. The lower end of theplug forms a circular valve seat 12' which,

with the plug threaded into the fitting, is disposed concentric with'bead 10. -I ntegral with the bore of the plug a guide (not shown) is formed, through which the stem 13 of the valve '69 slidably extends so as to retain the valve in operative relationship withits respective seats in the lowerend of each of said valves. From the side outlet 16 of the respective valves'59, a pipe 11 leads to the particular sprinkler heads controlled by that valve. The valve members I6 of the respective valves 59 are normallyheld in their lower closed position by the pressure of water admitted into the upper'pressure chamber 22 through a series of tubes86 from the control unit. Tubes 8|] extend from their respective valves upwardly through the tubular mounting 30 into casing 29 where they are connected in ports 8-| in the underside of the =plate,-registering ation of the device. in operation, the projection 46 of valve member circle of movement of the arcuate groove 41 in the lateral projection 46 of the valve member 45. The holes 82 in valve disk 34 are spaced apart a greater distance than the circumferential length of the projection 48 of the valve memberythe arcuate groove 41 of which is brought into registry with said holes 82 successively in the oper- When the mechanism is not 45 is disposed between a pair of the holes 82 so that each hole is in open communication with the valve chamber 35. With the rotary valve member 45, so positioned, the water pressure in the valve chamber 35 will be communicated through the various holes 82 to the upper chamber 22 of the respective valves 59 to maintain said valves closed.

The inner end of the radial groove 48 in the rotary valve member 45 terminates above a circular channel 83 formed in valve disk 34, having a radius of a length less than the distance between the axis of the stem ll and the elongated port 49 in the valve member 45. The channel 83 is communicated through registering ports 84 and 85 in the valve disk 34 and plate 33, respec- The valve member 45 is adapted to be rotated at a predetermined constant speed through a gear 81 rotatably mounted on valve stem 4I. To this end the stem is formed with an annular groove 88 above the packing gland 42. A pin 89 extending through the hub of the gear 81 is intercepted by groove 88 to support the gear on stem 4| without interfering with independent rotative movement of the valve stem. A ratchet wheel 90 encircles the stem 4I above gear 81. An upstanding hub 9| of wheel 90 provides a mounting for a ring 92 composed of nonconducting material. The wheel 90, ring 92 and stem 4| are connected non-rotatably by a pin 93 which extends through these parts. A pawl 94 is pivoted to the top of gear 81 and is urged into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 90 by a wire spring 95 so that clockwise movement of gear 81 will be transmitted to ratchet wheel 90 and the stem 4|, but permitting manual clockwise movement of the stem independent of the gear 81 for purposes later described. The gear 81 is turned by a motor 96 connected with the former through suitable reduction gearing generally indicated at 91.

Valve stem 4| extends upwardly through a transverse panel 98 in the upper part of casing 29 and has secured thereto an indicator 99 which overlies a dial I carried by panel 98, to indicate the position of valve 45 and associated mechanism at any stage of its operation and to assist manual adjustment, as will appear. The energization of motor 96 is controlled by a time switch mechanism of conventional construction which includes a clock (not shown) enclosed within a housing IOI mounted on the side of casing 29. An auxiliary switch (not shown) in the same circuit through the motor is controlled by a knob I02 by the panel. With the switch controlled by knob I02 closed, the clock mechanism;

6 initiate the energization of motor 96 at any time of the day or night and for any desired period. A dial and needle I03, shown in an opening in housing IOI, are provided to facilitate this adjustment. A rheostat (not shown) in the circuit is manually adjusted by a knob I04 to vary the speed of the motor. is started as above described, an auxiliary circuit, independent of the timer switch but primarily controlled by the knob-operated switch, is closed by a switch I05 comprising a pair of parallel spring finger contacts I05, each secured at one end to a suitable mounting below panel 98, with the opposite adjacent ends of the spring fingers I 06 riding on an arcuate electric contact I01 secured to the upper surface of ring 92. With the apparatus at rest the fingers I06 bear upon the ring 92 between the ends of the contact I01 so as to maintain the circuit controlled thereby open. Slight rotative movement of ring 92 initiated by the closing of the clock controlled switch is effective to shift the contact into engagement with the ends of both fingers I06 so as to close the auxiliary circuit to motor 96. Energization of motor 96 for a complete cycle of operation will thus be assured by the closing of switch I05. If

. the operator desires the apparatus to operate through one complete cycle and then stop, the time mechanism will be preadjusted to maintain the circuit controlled thereby closed for a period sufficient for the contact I01 to move into engagement with fingers I06 so as to close the auxiliary circuit, but less than the time required for the valve member 45 to complete one revolution. Thus the time switch will open its circuit before completion of the cycle of operation, and motor 96 will continue to operate in response to the electric current supplied through the auxiliary circuit controlled by switch I05. When the cycle is complete, spring fingers I06 will ride off the contact onto ring 92 between the ends of contact I01, opening the circuit and stopping the motor. It will ,be apparent that if the operator wishes the apparatus to continue to operate for two or more complete cycles, the time switch should be adjusted to maintain the circuit con-- trolled thereby closed until suflicient time has elapsed for the completion of all of the successive cycles of operation except the last one, and to break the circuit during the last operation, upon the completion of which switch I05 will open as above described, stopping the motor.

When installed as hereinabove described, the operation of the system is as follows: The switch controlled by knob I02 is first closed, which will enable energization of motor 96 upon the subsequent closing of the timer switch. The time at which the system is to be started and number of cycles of operation are then determined by adjustment of the timer It. The period during which water is to be supplied to each set of sprinklers during each cycle of operation may also be predetermined by adjustment of the rheostat by manipulation of knob I04. The circuit to motor 99 will be subsequently closed in accordance with the adjustment of the timer initiating clockwise rotation of the gear 81 through the reduction gearing 91. The pawl 94 transmits this movement to ring 92 and arcuatecontact I01 which is moved into engagement with the fingers I06, as above described, to close the auxiliary circuit to the motor 96. The valve stem II is slowly turned, incident to this operation, so as to turn the valve member 45 from the position illustrated in Fig. 4 to misalign the elongated port After the motor 95.

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7 A3 in the val member ,5 th he h e 5'! in the va vedisi; $4- Gon in m v men w ll e i i' e r adial groove 48 in valve 45 overthe port, P'ressure pi the water in pipe IQ exerted against the underside of valve member Eli thereinwill force the valve upwardly and expel the water thereabove through the tube 25, opening 56 in the plate 33 and hole 51, through the radial groove '48 into the circular channel 83 from which it will :flo'w through the drain tube 85 to a point outside of control unit 26. op, ened, water flows through pipe 58 into the anti- Esiphon valve 65. The valve member 69 in the {latter will be forced upwardly against seat I2 to close off the vent, and the water will flow to each of the various valves 59 controlling the separate groups of sprinklers. The valve member' 45 prevents water under pressure in the chamber 35 from being exerted on the master valve II by maintaining the holeiil closed. When the lateral extension 46 of the valve member .45 moves over the first of the series of holes 82, communication between the valve 59 with which said first hole 82 in disk 34 isconnected and the valve chamber 35 will be cut ofi. As the 'arcuate groove 41 is moved into registry with the first port 82, the water in the upper chamber 22 of that valve 59 will beexpelled through the grooves Aland 48 and channel 83 and thence through the drain tube8$ in response to the pressure of water in pipe 75 against the underside of the valve member IE as the latter is displaced from its seat, .ipermitting water to flow to each of the sprinklers controlled by the valve thus opened. The valve 59 last named will remain opened until the arcuate groove 4.! is again misaligned with the holes 82 ,leading tothe valve.v When this occurs the communication between thefirst holeSZ and the drain .86 will be shut off by the end of the lateral projection 4.6, which then slowly moves from said hole 82 and permits communication between the valve chamber 35 of the control unit 26 and the upper pressure chamber 22 of the particular valve 59 ,beingactuated. Water from the chamber 35 will accordingly again fi'owthrough tube 86 into valve 59 to exert sufficient pressure on the valve member [6 therein to close the latter. Immediately thereafter. the rotary valve 45 will beshifted sufficiently to register the, arcuate groove 41 with the second hole 82 in the valve disk 3fito open the second of the seriesof'sprinkler-grou valves 59. Valves are thus opened andclosed successively.

The hold 5'5 controlling entrance into tube leadin rto master valve ii, and hole ezcommu- -nicatedwith the lastvvalve 59 or the series of individualsprinklergroup valves, are spaced circumferentially so as to insure the alignment of the. elongated port as in the valve member 45,just prior to the closing off of the last valve 59 actuated. The valve member 45 will continue to rotate, however, until the lateral projectionv 46 of i. said valve member has uncoveredthe last hole '82 so as to enable water to pass from the control valve chamber into the upper chamber 22 of the last valve 59 to complete the cycle of opera- ,tion, whereupon the contact l0! will have been moved out of engagement with the fingers breaking' the circuit and stopping the motor.

Water may be supplied to any one of the various sprinkler-groups individually without a complete. cycle of operation of the mechanism by manual adjustment of rotary valve 45. A handle (not shown) formed to fit the upper end of the vvalve stem 4! is provided by which the rotary valve may vbe turned so as to register the arcuate With the master valve I] groove 41 in the valve member with the hole 182 in valve disk 3 which is communicated with the pressure chamber 22 of the valve 5'9-controlling the sprinklers in the area to be watered. Unless the motor is energized, water will flow to the selected group of sprinklers continuously until rotaryvalve 45is again turnedto open communication between the valve chamber 35 and the pressure chamber 22 of the open sprinkler group valve 59.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a sprinkler control system embodying a plurality of valves controlling separate groups of sprinklers adapted to be controlled manually or successively opened and closed automatically to supply water under full pressure of the main to each of the sprinkler groups, flow through the entire system being controlled by a master valve operable changes in size, design, shape and proportion of the various parts may be made; that any conventional timing apparatus may be substituted for that shown and described; that the type of valves incorporated in the embodiment shown is only illustrative and not essential to the system as a unit; and that the apparatus for actuating the control unit mechanism may be varied in numerous particulars=a1l without departing from tho -spirit of the appended claims.

'What' I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

s 1. In a flow control system, a plurality of disvtributing valves, a water supply pipe leading to each of said distributing valves, a master valve interposed in said pipe to control the supply of waterto each of said distributing valves, a control unit to open said master valve for a predetermined period of time, said control unit comprising a circular head, a valve chamber Within said head, said valve chamber having a floor, said floor being provided with a plurality of ports, a valve member provided with a port and anarcuate groove and radial groove, said port and saidgroove being adapted to register selectively with corresponding ports in said valve chamber floor, a plate, a valve stem attached to said plate and means adapted to resiliently hold saidplate and said valve member in rotatable contact with said floor for selective rotatable registry with. ports therein to open and close each of said distributing valves successively, and to close said master valve before the closing of the last of said distributing valves.

2.."Ina fiow controlsystem, a plurality of distributing valves, 3, water supply pipe leading to each of said distributing valves, a master valve interposed insaid conduit to control the supply of water to each of said distributing valves, 2. control unit to open said master valve for a predetermined period of time, said control unit comprising a hollow circular head, a valve chamber enclosed within said head, the floor of said valve chamber comprising a valve disk, said valve .disk being provided with a series of conduits therethrough, a valve member provided with a port and adjoiningarcuate and radial grooves in its iewer; suriace, a valve stem, a plate mounted on said valve stem within said valve chamber so as to rotate with said stem and superposed on said valve member, and means to resiliently hold said valve member and its superposed plate in rotatable contact with said valve disk to open and close each of said distributing valves successively and to close said master valve before the closing of the last of said distributing valves, and means to vary the period elapsing between the opening and closing of each of said distributing valves.

3. In a flow system, a plurality of fluid-actuated distributing valves and a fluid-actuated master valve, a conduit connecting said master valve with each of said distributing valves, each of said valves having a pressure chamber therein, an

anti-siphon valve interposed in said conduit, a control unit comprising a casing forming a pressure chamber, means to supply fiuid pressure to said last-named pressure chamber, and a rotary valve member within said last-named chamber, conduits connecting the pressure chamber of each of said distributing valves with the pressure chamber of said control unit, and a conduit including a port in said rotary valve member connecting the pressure chamber of said control unit and the pressure chamber of said master valve, said rotary valve including means to close communication between the pressure chambers of said control unit and said master valve and thereafter to successively close and open communication between each of the pressure chambers of said distributing valves and the pressure chamber of said control unit, and to open communication between the pressure chamber of said master valve and the pressure chamber of said control unit during the opening of one of the conduits between one of the distributing valves and the pressure chamber of said control unit, and means to vent the pressure chambers of said master and each of said distributing valves when communication thereof, respectively, with the pressure chamber of said control unit is closed.

4. In a flow system, a plurality of fluid-actuated distributing valves and a fluid-actuated master valve, a conduit connecting said master valve with each of said distributing valves, each of said valve having a pressure chamber therein, an anti-siphon valve interposed in said conduit, a control unit comprising a casing forming a pressure chamber, means to supply fluid pressure to said last-named pressure chamber, and 'a rotary valve member within said last-named chamber, conduits connecting the pressure chamber of each of said distributing valves with the pressure chamber of said control unit, and a conduit including a port in said rotary valve member connecting the pressure chamber of said control unit and the pressure chamber of said master valve, said rotary valve including means to close communication between the pressure chambers of said control unit and said master valve and thereafter to successively close and open communication between each of the pres-' sure chambers of said distributing valves and the pressure chamber of said control unit, and to open communication'between the pressure chamber of said master valve and thepressure chamber of said control unit during the closure of one of the conduits between one of the distributing valves. and the pressure chamber of said control unit, and means to vent eachof the pressure chambers of said master valve and said distributing valves during closure of communication between the master valve and said distributing valves, respectively, and the pressure chamber of the control unit, said rotary valve being operable to control said last-named means.

5. In a flow system, a plurality of fluid-actuated distributing valves and fluid-actuated master valve, a conduit connecting said master valve with each of said distributing valves, each of said valves having a pressure chamber therein, an anti-siphon valve interposed in said conduit, a control unit comprising a casing forming a pressure chamber, means to supplyfluid pressure to said last-named chamber, and a rotary valve member within said last-named chamber, conduits connecting the pressure chamber of each of said distributing valves with the pressure chamber of said control unit, and a conduit ineluding a port in said rotary valve. member connecting the pressure chamber of said control unit and the pressure chamber of said master valve,

said rotary valve being operable to successively close communication between the pressure chamber of said master valve and the pressure chamber of the control unit and to close and open communication between the pressure chamber of each of said distributing valves and the pressure chamber of said control unit, and to open communication between the pressure chamber of said master valve and the pressure chamber of said control unit during the opening of one of the conduits between one of the distributing valves and the pressure chamber of said control unit, the conduits connecting said distributing valves with the pressure chamber of said control unit being circuitously arranged, said rotary valve having a radial groove and an arcuate groove therein on the radius of the circle in which said last-named conduits are disposed, and a vent connected with said radial groove whereby said rotary valve is operable to vent each of the pressure chambers of said master valve and of said distributing valves substantially coincidentally with the closure of the conduits between said pressure chamber of said control unit and said master valve and said distributing valves, respectively.

6. In a flow system, a plurality of fluid-actuated distributing valves and a fluid-actuated master-valve, a conduit connecting said master valve with each of said distributing valves, each of said valves having a pressurechamber therein, an anti-siphon valve interposed in said conduit, a control unit comprising a casing forming a pressure chamber, means to supply fluid pressure to said last-named chamber, and a rotary valve member within said last-named chamber, conduits connecting the pressure chamber of each of said distributing valves with the pressure chamber of said control unit, and a conduit including a port in said rotary valve member connecting the pressure chamber of said control unit and the pressure chamber of said master valve, said rotary valve being operable to successively close communication between the pressure chamber of said master valve and the pressure chamber of the control unit and tov close and open communication between each of the pressure chambers of said distributing valves and the pressure chamber of I said control unit, and to open communication between the pressure chamber of said master valve and the pressure chamber of said controi unit during the opening of one of the conduits between "one of the dis tributing valves and the pressure chamber of said control unit,'the-conduits connecting said 11 distributing valves win the pressure chamber of said control unit being .circuitously arranged, said rotary valve having; a radial groove and an arcuate groove therein on the radius of the circle in which said last-named conduits are disposed, and a vent connected with said radial groove whereby said rotary valve is operable to vent each of the pressure chambers of said master valve and of said distributing valves substantiall coincidentally with the closure of the conduits between said pressure chamber of said control unit and said master valve and said distributing valves, respectively, means to rotate said rotary valve at a predetermined speed, and means to render said last-named means inoperable at the end of substantially one revolution of said rotary valve. Y

'7. In a flow control system, a water supply pipe, a fluid-actuated master valve controlling flow through said pipe, a fluid-actuated distributing valve, a conduitr leading from said master valve to said distributing valve to conduct fluid from said pipe to said distributing valve, an antisiphon valve interposed in said conduit, a rotary valve, means to supply actuating fluid under pressure to said rotary valve, tubular means connecting said rotary valve with said master and distributing valves, respectively, for conducting actuating fluid under presure to each of the latter valves to normally maintain said master and distributing valves closed, said rotary valve being operable in response to rotation to relieve pressure, transmit ed through said tubular means, in said master valve and said distributing valve successively to permit said fluid-actuated valves to open in corresponding sequence, and upon further rotation to transmit actuating fluid under pressure in said rotary valve to said master valve and, thereafter, to said distributing valve through said tubular means to close said master valve and thereafter close said distributing valve to the flow of fluid from said Water supply pipe.

8. In a flow control system for a plurality of sprinklers, a water supply pipe, a master valve connected to said pipe, a plurality of distributing valves, a distributing pipe connecting said master valve with each of said distributing valves, an anti-siphon Valve in said last-named pipe, flow through said distributing pipe being controlled by said master valve, said master and each of said distributing valves comprising a pressure chamber and a valve member reciprocable in said pressure chamber, said valve member being movable to closed position in response to pres sure introduced into said pressure chamber, a control unit comprising a valve mechanism, a conduit leading from said supply pipe to said control unit, means to vent the pressure chamber of each of said master and distributing valves and means of communication between said control unit and said master and each of said distribut ing valves for the flow of pressurefluid from said conduit, said venting means and said means of communication being controlled by said valve mechanism, said valve mechanism being normally open to admit pressure fluid from said conduit to the pressure chambers of said master and of said distributing valves, and operable to sequentially close said. means of communication between the pressure chamber of said master valve and said conduit, open said last-named pressure chamber to said venting means, close and again open the pressure chambers of all but one of said distributing valves to said con- (wit and open each of said last-named pressure 12 chambers to said venting means while said cham bers, respectively, are closed to the pressure of said conduit, and thereafter close the pressure chamber of said master valve to said venting means and open the same to said conduit.

9. In a flow control system, for a plurality of sprinklers, a water supply pipe, a master valve connected to said pipe, a plurality of distribut-v ing valves, a distributing pipe connecting said master valve with each of said distributing valves, an anti-siphon valve in said last-named pipe, flow through said distributing pipe being controlled by said master valve, said master and each of said distributing valves comprising a pressure chamber and a valve member reciprocable in said pressure chamber, said valve member being movable to closed position in response to pres sure introduced into said pressure chamber, a control unit comprising a rotary valve mech-' anism, a conduit leading from, said supply pipe to said control unit, means to vent the pressure chamber of each of said master and distributing valves and means of communication between said control unit and said master and each of said distributing valves for the flow of pressure fluid from said conduit, said venting means and said means of communication being controlled by said rotary valve mechanism, said valve mechanism being normally open to admit pressure fluid from said conduit to the pressure chambers of said master and of said distributing valves, and operable upon rotation to sequentially close said means of communication between the pressure chamber of said masler valve and said conduit, open said last-named pressure chamber to said venting means, close and again open the pressure chambers of all but one of said distributing valvesto said conduit and open each of said lastnamed pressure chambers to said venting means while said chambers, respectively, are closed to the pressure of said conduit, and thereafter close the pressure chamber of said master valve to said venting means and open the same to said conduit.

10. In a flow control system, a water supply pipe, a fluid actuated master valve controlling flow through said pipe, a pair of fluid-actuated distributing valves, a conduit leading from said master valve to said distributing valves, an antisiphon valve in said conduit, a control mechanism comprising a casing having a partition, said partition having an opening in which a circular plate is snugly fitted, a rotary valve disk superposed on said last-mentioned plate, and a valve chamber above said valve disk, means to supply fluid pressure to said valve chamber, conduits connected to each of said master and distributing valves extending through said partition and controlled by said rotary valve, said rotary valve being operable to sequentially close said master valve to pressure of said valve chamber of said control mechanism, close and open one of said distributing valves to the pressure of said valve chamber, close the second of said distributing valves to said pressure, open said master valve to said pressure and thereafter open said second distributing valve to the pressure of said valve chambers, and means to vent said master valve and each of said distributing valves during the 1 3 from said pipe to said distributing valve; an antisiphon valve interposed in said conduit; a rotary valve; means to supply actuating fluid under pressure to said rotary valve; tubular means connecting said rotary valve with said master and distributing valves, respectively, for conducting actuating fluid under pressure to each of the latter valves to actuate said master and distributing valves, said rotary valve being operable in re-- sponse to rotation to efiect changes fluid pressure, transmitted through said tubular means, in said master valve and said distributing valve successively to open said fluid-actuated valves in corresponding sequence; and said rotary valve being operable upon further rotation to transmit through said tubular means fluid pressure changes to said master valve and, thereafter, to said distributing valve first to close said master valve and thereafter close said distributing valve to the flow of fluid from said water supply pipe.

12. In a flow control system: a water supply pipe; a fluid-actuated master valve controlling flow through said pipe; a fluid-actuated distributing valve; a conduit leading from said master valve to said distributing valve to conduct fluid from said pipe to said distributing valve; an antisiphon valve interposed in said conduit; control valve means; means to supply actuating fluid under pressure to said control valve means; tubular means connecting said control valve means with said master and distributing valves, respectively, for conducting actuating fluid under pressure to each of the latter valves to actuate said master and distributing valves, said control valve means being operable to efiect changes in fluid pressure, transmitted through said tubular means, in said master valve and said distributing valve successively to open said fluid-actuated valves in correspondin sequence; and said control valve means being operable thereafter to transmit through said tubular means fluid pressure changes to said master valve and, thereafter, to said distributing valve first to close said master valve and thereafter to close said distributing valve to the 14 each controlling flow to a group of sprinklers; a conduit leading from said master valve to each of said distributing valves to conduct fluid from said pipe to said distributing valves; an antisiphon valve interposed in said conduit between said distributing valves and the master valves; control valve means; means to supply actuating fluid under pressure to said control valve means; tubular means connecting said control valve means with each of said master and distributing valves, respectively, for conducting actuating fluid under pressure to each of the latter valves to actuate said master and distributing valves, said control valve means being operable to efiect changes in fluid pressure, transmitted through said tubular means, in said master valve and said distributing valves successively to open said fluidactuated valves in corresponding sequence; and said control valve means being operable thereafter to transmit through said tubular means fluid pressure changes to all distributing valves but one and then to said master valve and, thereafter, to said one distributing valve to close said master valve after closing all but one distributing valve and thereafter to close said one distributing valve, to the flow of fluid from said water supply pipe.

GEORGE E. MOODY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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